Oleg Tinkov Seals Takeover of Saxo-Tinkoff UCI Pro Team

Long-time cycling owner Bjarne Riis has let go of the reigns of his Saxo-Tinkoff UCI Pro team by agreeing to sell to Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov who has renamed the squad, Tinkoff-Saxo.

Just months after announcing he would withdraw his sponsorship of the squad, Tinkov has performed a U-turn by taking over full ownership of management company Riis Cycling, which will now be known as Tinkoff Sport.

Riis, who had owned the team since 2000, will move into a general manager role for “at least three years”, while five-time Grand Tour winner Alberto Contador will continue as the team’s spearhead on the road despite being criticised by Tinkov during this year’s Tour de France.

Tinkov’s Tinkoff Credit Systems company will be the team’s primary sponsor, with Danish investors Saxo Bank becoming a secondary backer.

Tinkov told a press conference in London: “My dream came true. I am so happy and proud today. It is 100 per cent my company, it is my private investment, it is my obsession. I finally have my top-level team.”

Riis (right) added: “This is a great day for the team. It means long-term stability for the team. With added resources, it gives us the possibility to create a world-class team and help us fulfill our goal to become the No 1 team in the world.”

Tinkov also appears to have rebuilt bridges with Contador, whom he berated on Twitter during this summer’s Tour de France, saying: “His salary doesn’t match his performance.”

Contador (left) was also present at the press conference and insisted any ill feeling had been put to one side.

The two-time Tour winner said: “I know a lot of you will raise your eyebrows, but Oleg and I have spent a lot of time together and whatever happened immediately after the Tour is a long way behind us now.

“In these times, when there is a dearth of sponsors coming into cycling, it can only be a good thing when a man of Oleg’s stature comes into the sport.”

Tinkoff also insisted that doping was now part of cycling’s past and would adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards cheating in the team should there be any instances.

He added: “These days I strongly believe that doping is over. I truly believe that in big teams there are no issues about that. Cycling has changed.

“I have zero tolerance to doping. What is important today is diet, nutrition and recovery.”

Six People Arrested for Alleged Fixing of English Soccer Matches

Six people have been arrested by police investigating alleged fixing in English football matches, amid claims of attempts to defraud Asian betting websites.

At least three footballers and an agent are among the six arrested, according to London’s Daily Telegraph newspaper, which said an undercover investigation by its reporters had triggered the police swoop.

The report said match-fixers from Asia were targeting lower-league English games.

The new National Crime Agency (NCA) said they were probing a suspected international gambling ring.

“Six men have been arrested across the country as part of an NCA investigation into alleged football match fixing,” said a spokesman.

“The focus of the operation is a suspected international illegal betting syndicate.

“This is an active investigation and we are unable to provide further detail at this time.”

The men were being held at a police station in central England on suspicion of bribery and fraud offences, The Telegraph said.

A Singaporean “fixer” was recorded telling undercover reporters that the results of English games could be decided for STG50,000 ($90,000) and correctly predicted the outcome of three games played by one team.

The team and arrested players cannot be named for legal reasons, but the agent was named by The Telegraph as former Bolton Wanderers striker Delroy Facey.

No teams in England’s lucrative Premier League are believed to be involved in the probe.

The fixer explained that gamblers could use the insider information to place bets with Asian companies.

A spokesman for the Football Association, the sport’s governing body in England, said: “The FA has been made aware of a number of arrests in relation to an NCA investigation.

“We have worked closely with the authorities in relation to these allegations. The FA will make no further comment at this time due to ongoing investigations.”

The Football League, which runs the three professional divisions below the Premier League, said they had not been contacted by the police.

“We understand from media reports that there is an ongoing police investigation into alleged match-fixing in domestic football,” chief executive Shaun Harvey said in a statement.

“To date, we have had no contact from the police regarding this matter.

“The threat of corruption is something that the Football League and the other football authorities treat with the utmost seriousness.

“The integrity of our matches and our competitions is the bedrock of the domestic game.”

In February, Europe-wide police agency Europol said it had found evidence of match-fixing in top international football matches and it had uncovered an organised crime syndicate based in Asia that was behind the operation.

StacheTATS Sign NHL Licensing Deal

StacheTATS, vcialis 40mg a company that designs temporary mustache and cheek tattoos, remedy has agreed a licensing deal with the National Hockey League (NHL) to launch a new official NHL-branded line of temporary mustache tattoos.

The temporary mustache tattoos feature 30 different NHL teams and their logos, including the Blackhawks, Rangers and the Oilers.

Australian Turf Club Injects Millions to Boost Sydney Racing

The Championships at Randwick will host the richest two days of racing in Australia next autumn with the Australian Turf Club putting up $18 million in the biggest ever facelift for Sydney racing.

In the most significant bid yet to usurp the Melbourne spring carnival as racing’s biggest event on the racing calendar, the ATC will put on four $1 million-plus Group Ones on both April 12 and April 19 next year, a racing carnival it will term The Championships.

The Doncaster Mile will be run on April 12 and will now be worth $3 million on the same day as the $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes, the $2 million Australian Derby and the $1 million Sires’ Produce.

But the biggest elevation in prize money has been given to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, to be run on Saturday April 19.

The ATC will boost the prize money eight-fold for the race to $4 million dollars, making it the richest weight for age race in Australia, surpassing the Cox Plate. It is the most significant challenge to the primacy of the Melbourne spring in terms of horseracing.

The Sydney Cup prize money has been raised to $1 million, while the Australian Oaks and the Queen Of the Turf Stakes will also be raised to the $1 million mark.

Racing NSW Chairman John Messara said: “We have identified ten Championship races across various age and distance ranges which are the highlight of these two days. Some of these races become the richest of their category in Australia and the world,” Messara said.

“Eight of those races are already Group One events and with the injection of almost $10 million, this program will lure the finest horses from Australia and New Zealand and from other countries across the globe. Our goal is for this to become the greatest event for racing in the Southern Hemisphere.”

Australia to Host First Ever Competitive MLB Game in 2014

The 2014 Major League Baseball season will raise its curtain at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks set to square off in the Harbour City.

The two-match series represents the first time Australia has hosted a competitive MLB game, and just the sixth time matches have been held outside of US shores.

New South Wales sports minister Graham Annesley said while it was a major boost for the local tourist economy, the event also was a throwback to Sydney’s past.

“Sydney has a history of hosting significant baseball games at the SCG, with the Chicago White Sox playing against a combined NSW team in 1914,” he said.

“The SCG will be transformed into an MLB field, with the construction of an infield clay area, pitcher’s mound, dugouts and additional grandstand.”

The coup is expected to bring $13million in revenue to the local economy, with the matches scheduled for March 22 and 23.

An official announcement of the landmark event will take place at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday.

Indian Amateur Boxing Federation Suspended by AIBA

The Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) have been suspended by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Executive Committee Bureau following International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to suspend the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

This provisional suspension is also due to the fact that AIBA had learned about possible manipulation of the recent IABF’s election. AIBA will now investigate this election and especially a potential political link between IOA President, as former Chairman of the IABF, and the IABF election.

Chautala is the chairman of the boxing body and was elected president of the IOA in elections Wednesday that the IOC declared ”null and void.”

The government also said it also doesn’t recognize the Archery Federation of India because it ignored age and tenure restrictions in electing 81-year-old Vijay Kumar Malhotra to a 10th term as president. Malhotra was the acting president of the IOA before the elections.

WIFA Sign Sporting Ace Partnership to Develop Football in Region

The Western Indian Football Association (WIFA) has revealed that have initiated a strategic partnership with Sporting Ace Private Limited (SAPL) which will provide an ambitious and dynamic blueprint to develop and grow football in the state with development and promotion plans rolling out simultaneously in all the districts of Maharashtra.

This partnership between WIFA and SAPL will see an infusion of around Rs 100 crore ($18, apoplectic 846, and 598) for a period of ten years, with the funds being used to aggressively promote the sport at the grass roots level, grow the bank of young football players, increase the number of certified coaches, spread gratification in cash and kind, spreads its message to every nook and corner of the state, bring football of the highest standard through the revival and creation of aspirational tournaments and ensure that every youngster will have a realistic chance of reaching the pinnacle of the beautiful game.

This was announced at a press conference in the city on Wednesday in the presence of WIFA Vice-Presidents Vishwajeet Kadam, Maloji Raje Chatrapati, Liaiqaut Hussain and Sunil Dhande. Representing SAPL were Managing Director Sagar Pol Chowdhury, Director Zulfikar Mohd. and Director Kingshuk Gupta, while also present were Souter Vaz, Hon. Secretary, WIFA and Henry Menezes, CEO, WIFA.

The initiatives outlined under the partnership between WIFA and SAPL include the biggest talent hunt in Asia, The Mahayudh – targeting over 5000 teams and around 50,000 players from across Maharashtra, revival of the prestigious 122 year old Rovers Cup, besides aggressive programs for Coach and Referee education with the objective of creating 5000 certified coaches and 1000 certified referees within the next three years.

“Nearly one year of research and ideating with extensive fact-finding trips throughout the various affiliated districts, has been undertaken before both WIFA and SAPL came up with a blue print that has been deemed to be achievable. Earlier while most development plans would revolve around the bigger cities, first-hand information has made it clear that Football is very popular in all the districts of Maharashtra and enjoys a huge following amongst the younger generation. This interest only needs to be channelized in the right direction, with the best facilities and just rewards awaiting those who excel. This is what the partnership between WIFA and SAPL is confident of achieving,” said Souter Vaz, Hon. Secretary, WIFA.

“We believe in WIFA’s vision and commitment towards developing and growing football in Maharashtra. A lot of man hours have gone into coming up with a vision that is definitely ambitious but at the same time realistic. At SAPL we are confident that this historic partnership will galvanise and inspire more and more youngsters to play the sport of football with much more passion and commitment as there is a bright future awaiting all those who share this vision,” said Sagar Pol Chowdhury, MD, Sporting Ace.

Sport demonstriert Solidarität bei Sportwetten-Gespräch

Die Präsidenten von DOSB, impotent DFB und DFL haben am Donnerstag mit Ministerpräsidenten
bzw. den Chefs der Staats- und Senatskanzleien von elf Bundesländern in Berlin einen
intensiven Meinungsaustausch über die Neuregelung von Sportwetten geführt. Dabei
setzten sich DOSB-Präsident Dr. Thomas Bach, DFB-Präsident Wolfgang Niersbach und
Ligapräsident Dr. Reinhard Rauball gemeinsam für die Stärkung des gemeinnützigen
Sports durch eine Beteiligung an den staatlichen Einnahmen in Höhe von einem Drittel
ein. “Wir freuen uns, dass das vorgestellte Solidarmodell zwischen gemeinnützigem und
professionellem Sport bei unseren Gesprächspartnern auf positive Resonanz gestoßen ist.
Jetzt muss die Stärkung der Finanzierungsgrundlage des gemeinnützigen Sports in den
Ländern auch gesetzlich geregelt werden”, erklärte DOSB-Präsident Dr. Thomas Bach.
DFB-Präsident Wolfgang Niersbach sagte: “Das Gespräch hat uns ermuntert, den Dialog
intensiv fortzusetzen. Der gesamte Sport steht bei diesem Thema in engem Schulterschluss
zusammen. Der Wunsch nach einer Beteiligung an den Einnahmen aus Sportwetten ist
nicht nur inhaltlich folgerichtig, sondern ein starkes Zeichen der Solidarität. Die Gelder sollen
unseren Landesverbänden für die Arbeit an der Basis zugeführt werden.”
Ligapräsident Dr. Reinhard Rauball erklärte: “Ohne den Fußball gäbe es den Wettmarkt in
seiner heutigen Form nicht. Wir freuen uns, dass dieser Zusammenhang und die Leistung
des Fußballs auch von der Politik gesehen und konstruktiv diskutiert werden. Mit dem
Verzicht auf eine Beteiligung an staatlichen Einnahmen dokumentiert der professionelle
Fußball sein Verantwortungsbewusstsein und seine Solidarität mit dem gemeinnützigen
Sport.”
Dabei wiesen die Vertreter des professionellen und des gemeinnützigen Sports auf die
Notwendigkeit hin, die Neuregelung auch praxistauglich zu fassen. “Keinesfalls dürfen durch
restriktiv ausgestaltete Richtlinien für den Internetzugang und die Werbung neue Hürden
aufgebaut werden, die das Ziel einer Kanalisierung der privaten Veranstalter in den legalen
Markt gefährden. Zudem muss abgesichert werden, dass die zusätzlichen Einnahmen
nicht einfach mit der bestehenden Sportförderung verrechnet werden”, sagte DOSB-
Generaldirektor Dr. Michael Vesper.

Die Präsidenten von DOSB, DFB und DFL haben am Donnerstag mit Ministerpräsidentenbzw. den Chefs der Staats- und Senatskanzleien von elf Bundesländern in Berlin einenintensiven Meinungsaustausch über die Neuregelung von Sportwetten geführt. Dabeisetzten sich DOSB-Präsident Dr. Thomas Bach, DFB-Präsident Wolfgang Niersbach undLigapräsident Dr. Reinhard Rauball gemeinsam für die Stärkung des gemeinnützigenSports durch eine Beteiligung an den staatlichen Einnahmen in Höhe von einem Drittelein. “Wir freuen uns, dass das vorgestellte Solidarmodell zwischen gemeinnützigem undprofessionellem Sport bei unseren Gesprächspartnern auf positive Resonanz gestoßen ist.Jetzt muss die Stärkung der Finanzierungsgrundlage des gemeinnützigen Sports in denLändern auch gesetzlich geregelt werden”, erklärte DOSB-Präsident Dr. Thomas Bach.

DFB-Präsident Wolfgang Niersbach sagte: “Das Gespräch hat uns ermuntert, den Dialogintensiv fortzusetzen. Der gesamte Sport steht bei diesem Thema in engem Schulterschlusszusammen. Der Wunsch nach einer Beteiligung an den Einnahmen aus Sportwetten istnicht nur inhaltlich folgerichtig, sondern ein starkes Zeichen der Solidarität. Die Gelder sollenunseren Landesverbänden für die Arbeit an der Basis zugeführt werden.”

Ligapräsident Dr. Reinhard Rauball erklärte: “Ohne den Fußball gäbe es den Wettmarkt inseiner heutigen Form nicht. Wir freuen uns, dass dieser Zusammenhang und die Leistungdes Fußballs auch von der Politik gesehen und konstruktiv diskutiert werden. Mit demVerzicht auf eine Beteiligung an staatlichen Einnahmen dokumentiert der professionelleFußball sein

Verantwortungsbewusstsein und seine Solidarität mit dem gemeinnützigenSport.”
Dabei wiesen die Vertreter des professionellen und des gemeinnützigen Sports auf dieNotwendigkeit hin, die Neuregelung auch praxistauglich zu fassen. “Keinesfalls dürfen durchrestriktiv ausgestaltete Richtlinien für den Internetzugang und die Werbung neue Hürdenaufgebaut werden, die das Ziel einer Kanalisierung der privaten Veranstalter in den legalenMarkt gefährden. Zudem muss abgesichert werden, dass die zusätzlichen Einnahmennicht einfach mit der bestehenden Sportförderung verrechnet werden”, sagte DOSB-Generaldirektor Dr. Michael Vesper.

YOG Medal Ceremony Postponed Post WW2 Bomb Scare

The discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb postponed the medal ceremony at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Innsbruck, Austria.

The 250kg (550lb) aerial explosive was found at a construction site just blocks from the IOC main hotel.

The bomb was defused by sixty-five police staff over a period of four hours.

The area around the discovery spot was cordoned off and the plaza set to hold the medal ceremony was closed.

Innsbruck police chief, Markus Auinger, believed such precautions were necessary because there had been a significant threat to public safety.

“We had to make police lines around the area and spent half an hour evacuating people from nearby buildings”.

International Olympic Committee head of communications, Mark Adams, said “I must admit we weren’t expecting to have a Second World War bomb”.

It is believed that 10 bombs have been found in the region over the past twenty years.

Adams continued, “It’s a shame, obviously. It’s the first Winter Youth Olympic Games and it’s really important to celebrate the medals but we thought it best to cancel.

“Safety, particularly of the athletes is at the core of everything we do”.

The medals ceremony will be rescheduled.

Valcke Believes New Brazilian Sports Minister will Bring Back Order to World Cup Preparations

Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s secretary general believes the newly appointed Brazilian sports minister Aldo Rebello can put World Cup Preparations back on schedule after Orlando Silva’s resignation.

Valcke said: “We acknowledge the work done so far and regret this situation. We are confident that the Brazilian government will soon inform us about the new representative in charge so that we can continue to work together on the preparations of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. For us, it is always essential to have a dedicated link to the government of the FIFA World Cup host country.”

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff appointed Aldo Rebelo as the new sports minister late Thursday. He will oversee preparations for the 2014 World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympics.

Previous sports minister Siva resigned Wednesday amid allegations he took more than $20 million in public money intended for social programmes related to the 2014 finals.

“I decided to leave the government so that I can defend my honour,” he announced after an hour-long meeting with Rousseff.

The Brazilian Supreme Federal Court opened a case against him on Tuesday centred around the kickback allegations of a police officer, allegations Silva has already denied before a congressional panel.

Silva was the sixth of her ministers to leave office under a cloud of corruption since her inauguration in January.